Deadspin reports Nikita Kucherov requests trade from Lightning amid contract impasse
Trade request reported Friday
Kucherov has been central to Tampa Bay since making his NHL debut at age 20 in the 2013-14 season. Multiple outlets reported Friday that he has asked the Lightning to trade him.
Reports said Kucherov told teammates about his decision during the team’s flight to Nashville. Tampa Bay is scheduled to play the Predators on Saturday. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois and Kucherov’s agent, Dan Milstein, declined to comment.
Contract talks remain apart
Kucherov, 33, is completing an eight-year contract worth $76 million and is likely to seek a significant raise. The two camps are reportedly not close to reaching an agreement, prompting the trade request. His modified no-trade clause allows him to submit a list of 10 teams to Tampa Bay as the club works on a possible deal.
A franchise scoring leader
Across 891 career games, Kucherov has recorded 405 goals and 734 assists, totaling 1,139 points. He passed longtime teammate Steven Stamkos, now with Nashville, to become the Lightning’s career scoring leader this week.
Kucherov has won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer three times: with 128 points in 2018-19, 144 in 2023-24 and 121 in 2024-25. He is also the two-time reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner.
Key points
- Multiple outlets reported Friday that Kucherov requested a trade from Tampa Bay.
- He is in the final season of an eight-year, $76 million contract.
- His modified no-trade clause permits him to submit a 10-team list.
- Kucherov recently became the Lightning’s all-time leading scorer.